"Juliet E. McKenna - Einarinn 4 - The Warrior's Bond" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

'It's lucky you were there,' chipped in Casuel.
'Luck had nothing to do with it.' She made a plain statement of fact out of
words that could so easily have been arrogance, rebuke or both. 'I've been
making a study of the air currents off the Cape of Winds this past half-year.
When I heard Esquire D'Alsennin would arrive around the middle of the season,
I decided to work our way up the coast. I scried his ship as well as the
likely impact of the storm and thought it best that we make landfall together.
Given Urlan's accident, it's as well we did.' She addressed me directly,
leaving Casuel tugging impatiently at the ties of his cloak. Her voice was low
and a little husky, as self-assured as her stance. For all her Mandarkin name,
the regular accents of Hadrumal were unshaded by any older allegiance and I
guessed she had been born on that distant, secretive island.
'You want to meet Temar? Esquire D'Alsennin, that is?' This was setting a new
piece on a game board already well into play. I'd want to know more about this
unknown lady before letting her loose among the complex concerns of the colony
and the House I served, whatever Casuel might have to say about the
unquestioning cooperation a mage was entitled to as of right.
'When he has leisure from more pressing matters.' Velindre's smile lent a
sudden feminine air to her almost mannish features. She would never be
considered a beautiful woman but her striking appearance would halt any eye
and that impact would outlast more conventional charms. A few wisps of fine
blonde hair escaped the confines of her hood and she brushed them away from
pale lashed hazel eyes. 'So you are Ryshad,' she mused. 'I've heard a lot
about you.'
I decided to match her directness. 'From whom?'
'Initially, from Otrick.' As she spoke sadness seemed to
darken the heavy storm clouds above us. 'Latterly from Troanna.'
'What has Troanna to do with your studies?' Casuel was fidgeting from one foot
to another anxious lest someone else's manoeuvrings escape him.
'She's been keeping me supplied with all the news from home, Cas,' answered
Velindre easily. 'Shall I tell her you were asking after her?'
Casuel blinked, caught off balance. I've yet to fully understand the formal
and informal ranks and authorities of the wizards of Hadrumal, the ill-defined
and often overlapping functions of their Council and their Halls, but I knew
enough to know Casuel wouldn't want the acerbic wit of Troanna, acknowledged
as pre-eminent in water magic, sharpened up at his expense. If Cloud-Master
and Flood-Mistress kept her informed, Velindre had powerful friends.
'How might Esquire D'Alsennin be of assistance?' I asked politely.
Velindre smiled again. 'He's crossed the ocean and sailed unknown shores with
currents and winds that no mage has ever sensed. No wizard ever passes up the
chance of new knowledge.'
Which was certainly true, but if that was the whole story I was a Caladhrian
pack mule.
'I'll see if we can accommodate you,' said Casuel with fussy self-importance.
Velindre's eyes hardened, and I thought for a moment she was about to
challenge his pretensions, but a new arrival spared him any rebuke.
'Mage Devoir.' The newcomer bobbed a nervous curtsey that edged the hem of her
rose pink dress with the muck of the dockside.
'Allin?' Casuel sounded both surprised and displeased.
'You're entitled to call him Casuel, just like anyone else,' said Velindre